Cutting and folding machine



P I A. LAUKHU FF 2,328,814

CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 20, 1941 4 Shets-Sheet 1 w wmx ATTORNEY P 7, 1943. A. LAUKHUFF 2,328,814

CUTTING A ND FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 20, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 20, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet s f j, INVENTOR.

. flAfWEDZflU/f/VWX B1. Q m I Mug ATTORNEY Sept. 7,1943. v A. LAUKHUFF 2,323,814

' CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 20, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /Q INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 7, 1943 nuns!) STATES PATENT OFFICE: I

V I I 2,328,814 I V CUTTING FOLDING YMACHINE' Alfred-Laukhufi, Milwaukee; Wis. alipiicatioii' ngustzo, 1941, SerialNo. 407,567 til-Claims. (01. 270-61) This invention relates to an irnpro'vement in cutting and folding machines for webs of materials, and while particularlyadapted for cutting and folding textile material such as gauze, for example, in fabricating surgical sponges, it may also well be utilized for cutting and folding paper and various other materials for diverse otherpurposes. I

An object of the inventionis to provide a ma chine of this character, which is compact and closely organized incohstruction,.vlhich is continuous and rapid in operation, whichis comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which may be operated to advantage at a low maintenance andoperating cost. r

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine having these characteristics and advantages, and wherein the web of material tobe out and folded moves at a'constant speed, starting and stopping being eliminated, and thisiwith high operating'eificiency so that there is no waste,,.

and at the same time a neat, sanitary; folded article i had. l

, Inthe operation of machine, the webof material is out clean and straight and is-folded along definite and'p-erm'anent lines so. that the resulting article has the dimensions and form required for its intended'purpose or use.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter more fullyidescribed andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings forminga part of this specification, andin which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammaticview' in elevationshowingthe general form ofmachine embodying the present invention; i .1 g i Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view partly incelevation and partly in transverse vertical:cross"sec tion, illustrating the rotary drum embodied'in'the machine of the present invention, together with the folders with which it is equipped and the operating mechanism for'the blades of the folders;

Figure 3 is a view partly in transverse-horizontal cross section and partly in top plan, illustrating the cutting mechanism embodied'innthe machine, its operating devices, and certain of the operating cams for the blades of thefolders;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in end-elevation looking towardthe lower end of Figure 3;,

Figure 5 is a View in top plan of one or the folders provided on the periphery of the rotary druinand some'of the operating mechanisrn'for the folding blades thereof;

oscillating the cuttershaft;

Figure 6 is afragmentary view similar to Figure 5 and showing the manner in which the takeoff blade coacts with one of the folding blades to remove a folded article from a folder;

Figure '7 isa fragmentary diagrammatic view partly in side elevation and partly invertical cross section, further illustrating the operation of taking off folded material from th folders of the drum; 7 r

Figure 7a is a diagrammatic viewshowing the manner in which the gauze is folded, the showing being enlarged and exaggerated for the sake; of illustration; V

Figure 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view similar to Figure 2 but showingia severed length of material on a folder after the first folding operation and with the outer folder blades returned to material-receiving position;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but illustrating the manner in which the final folding operation isaccomplished; I

Figure 1 0 is a fragmentary perspective View further illustrating the mechanism employed for Figure 11 1 a diagrarmnatic'view partly in end elevation and partly in Vertical cross section, showing one ofthe hold-down devices cooperable with the folders; V

Figure 12 is a plan view of the hold-down member proper of the hold-down device shown in Figure 11; l V

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure-12 of the second hold-down device employed in connection with the final folding operation; and a a Figure lfi i a View in transverse horizontal cross section taken on line- M-M o-fFigure 13.

Referring to'the drawings, and more particularly to'Figure 1, it will be seen that a machine embodying the present invention includes a suitable main frame, designated generally at M, 'An

extension 1W of the main frame supports a roll R. of the material to be cut and folded. As invsponges. A web W is ledfrorn the rollR. over a guide rollerG, and thence past pressure rollers P and P to arotary drum, designated generally atD." V

J On the periphery of the drum there is provided a plurality of angularly spacedfolders, desig nated generally at F. These folders are of identical construction and they and their supporting structure constitute the periphery of the drum. The web W of the fabric is fed on to the.

periphery of the drum D and against the folders F; and the pressure rollers P and P engage angularly spaced portions of the web W which is laid against'the drum D to press the material against the folders F and stretch it thereon.

Cutting mechanism, [designated generally at C, is combined with the drum and functions generally to sever predetermined lengths of the web after it has passed the pressurerollers and while it is on the folders. The drum "D'is supported for rotation about the shaft S as QHFEIXl-S fiNIBfiIIS.

is provided for continuously rotating the drum and includes an electric motor E supported-onthe main frame M and acting through chain and sprocket gearing, the trains of which are designated-at G, G, and G", to drive the drum "D at an appropriate speed.

'-Cutter-aotuating cams-designated at- A and A (see Figurel) are driven from the -gearitrain between the inotor andv the drum and @act throughdinkage, designated generally at L and L, to' impart the appropriate movement to the cutting mechanism C, as will behereina'fter more fully described. The rotary motion of thedrum D is utilized -toactuate the operating mechanism for the folders aswvill'be hereinafter more f-ully 4 described.

The shaft S i supported adjacent =-its=en'ds in suitable bearings [fig-one of which is shown in Figure 10, these hearings being -carried, by the frame-of the machine. The drum D comprises spaced hubs l I having Webs 2 suitably flanged and appropriately interconnected -with=the-'circular-end plates l4 ofthe drum.

"The folders F- are supported onthe end plates M of the drum. Each folder- F -includias four folding blades, designated at -"i5, 16,- N, an'd I8 (see Figures 2 'and 5). The folding blades are of identical constructionand each comprises 'a strip-like "body portion l'9 from one edge of which project a plurality of spaced parallel folding fingers 2 B. "The outerfolding"-blade H 5 and-l8 are provided at their ends with 'bracketsz-l -and 22. Journa-ls't-S --are fixedly securedto'thebrack- -ets -21 and are r otata-bly-supporteden' bearingpins 24 fixed to and projecting inwardly frorn the adjacent "end --plate M 'o'f'the drum. Ihe

brackets 22 are provided with openings in which integral sleeve-like extensions 2-5 cit-pinions 26 are press-fitted or otherwise-suitably secured.

' The pinions ZB'haVeeentral openings alinedwith the openings of their sleeves. Bearing pins 27, mounted on theen'd plate M of the-drum adjacent the pinions 2-6, project into the openings of the pinions-2E *and provide the support'on which the pinions Q6,- and consequently the adjacent ends of "their"folding blades, are rotatably mounted. The'folding blade to i also+provided at its ends withlorackets 28- and 29, similar to the brackets '-2l and'22. Bracket ifi is provided with a journal 30 rotatably supported -on-a fixed bearing-pin 0r stud 3! carried bythe adjacent endplate l l-of'the drum. The bracket 28 has an opening-therein in -which-:an'-integra1 sleeve-like extensionor hirb 2 of I a =pinion- 33 is secured. A shaft 34 is-' rotatably supported in 2a a bearing 35 provided therefor in i the ':drum :(see

Figure 6), and its inner end extends through the axial openin-g' in the pinion 33 :andiprojects therebeyon'd, and its innerextremity is extended into an opening in a bracket 36 of the folding blade I! and is pinned thereto, as at 31, so that the shaft 3d supports the adjacent end of the folding blade I! and also has driving connection therewith. The opposite end of the blade I? is provided with a bracket 38 having a pin 39 fixed thereto and projecting into a bearing opening provided therefor in the bracket 29 of the blade [5.

When the folding blades t5, t5, H, and it are in position to receive material to I-be folded, they rest on suitable supports provided therefor on 'the drum. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, these supports are constituted by inwardly facing channels 4%] extendingtransverse- -l-y of-the drum at spaced angular intervals thereabout and having their ends secured by angle brackets 5 1 to inner drum plates 62, these inner felt, or other rmaterial adapted-to have appropriate frictional engagement with-the gauze.

As will beseen to advantage Figures :1 and i 12, .there is a space :dfi "betweenr-adjacent folders F. "The :present invention :proposes to have the cutting :mechanism C sever-the web .of material -extendingacross leach space dfiiat a certaimperiod therevolution .of'the edrum. .To-zadapt the :cutting mechanism for that :purposeaand for efiicient :action in other :respects, it is :constituted of a pair of cutters or knives, :one desigmated atfillcbeing :disposed on the outside ofthe L periphery of :the 'sdrumz-D, and. the other,idesig'- natedxatrt'rl, heinglocatedinside the drum. :The cutters or rknivessaliil and :51 l are supported for radial movement with respect to the .cdrum :so

that :the :cutters maybe brought :into land out o'f icuttingjengagement .at theuperiphery :of the. drum andin the spaces dfi-ibetween .the adjaacentsfolders :F. :iIhecutters or knives and 51 zare also supported for swinging or 1osci11atingtmovement about the :axis *of rotationzdf :the

drum, namely "about the axis of oscillation of .rthexshaft :S,:and they are so actuatedthat in certain phases of :their :operation they "swing in the same direction and atnthe same speed-as the-drum, while inlalinem'entswith aispace 46, and when :so swinging and .so aalined, arermoved toward each 1 other and into 'cooperativeia'cuttin engagement to sever a predetermined dengthwof the webwhile'itiis :on one .of' the I'folders; fWhile swinging in the same direction asthe'rdrum, :the v cuttersor rknives; 59-2and '.5l,,after then-completion vofxthegcut, are movedzawayfrom -.each; other and :are then thereafter reverselyzswungato :reposition themfor Lthev'next icut. carryingout these purposes, the .cutter 1 50 is zboltedzpr .other- .wisesuitably secured to .the .-transverse tangle bar 52 .of': an outer cutter frame,zdesignate'd generale 1y at 53. The bar 52 is longer than ltheq-drum is wide and is attached'at zits 0uter ends to the sidebars 54 of the'cutter frame 53. flZ heseside bars 54 are supported for rectilinearj-slidi-ng movement in oscillating guides, designated generally at 55. There is one such oscillating guide at each end of the machine, but only one is shown complete in Figure 3. However, as they are identical, it is believedthat the illustration of one will serve. Each guide 55 includes a cylindrical hub 56 keyed to the outer endof a sleeve shaft 51 supported for rotation on and with respect to V the shaft S by means of suitable bearings, one of which is designated at 58. Integral with the outer end of each hub 56 is an elongated frame plate 59 of generally rectangular form. Guide rollers '60 are provided at the corners of this plate 59 and the side bars 54 of the outer cutter frame have guiding engagement with these roll-- ers '60. These rollers 60 areonly'diagrammatically illustrated, but preferably they are a suitable type of anti-frictional roller. For moving the outer cutter knife 5|! in and out, each side bar '54 of its frame has a rack 6| fixed thereto, the teeth of each rack 6| meshing with the teeth of a cooperablepinion 62 fixed to the adjacent portion of the shaft S.

The inner cutter or knife 5| is also bolted or otherwise suitably secured toa transverse bar 63 of an inner cutter frame, designated generally at 65. A

This inner cutter frame is located entirely within the drum and its bar 63 is fastened in a suitable manner to the side bars 66 of the inner cutter frame. The side bars 66 are interfitted with the guide rollers 61 of the inner cutter frame, the guide rollers 61 being four in number for each side bar 66 and being supported on hubs 69 which are keyed to the inner ends of the sleeve shafts 51. By interconnecting the inner and outer cutter frames in this manner through the sleeve shafts 5i, they are constrained to corresponding oscillatory movement so that their movements are synchronized in this respect. To move the inner cutter or knife 5| in and out, racks F are fastened to the sidebar 66 of its frame and are meshed with pinions fixedto adjacent portions of the shaft S.

As previously indicated, the cutter mechanism C is actuated by the cams A and A through linkage L and L. The linkage L includes a connecting rod 15 which has its upper end pivotally connected to one of the frame plates 59 of the outer cutter frame and its lower end pivotally connected to oneend of a cam follower lever 16, the opposite endof the lever 16 being pivoted to a fixed fulcrum I1, and an intermediate portion thereof having a follower roller 18 riding on the .cam A.

' The linkage L, actuated by cam A'for oscillating'the shaft S to move the cutters D and 5| toward and away from each other, includes a follower roller 19 provided at the end of one arm of a bell crank 80 and riding on cam A. The lever 80 is fulcrumed at its elbow on the fulcrum 1! and has its upper arm connected to one end of a connecting rod 8| which is operatively connected to a rack 82 suitably guided and meshing with a pinion 83 fixed to the shaft S.

After the cutting mechanism C has functioned to sever a length of fabric from the web W, the folder on which said severed length of fabric lies is actuated to fold it. The folding operation is a four-stage one. First, the outer folding blades |5 and I8 are swung from their material-receiving position, wherein they rest against their channels 40 into a position wherein they overlie the folding blades Hi and H, as illustrated in the upper left-hand corner of Figure 2. This folds the end portions or sections a and b of the severed length of material on the folder along the lines aand b and, in so doing, folds them back on to the portions 0 and d of this severed length of material which portions 0 and d lie against the folding blades l6 and I? in the manner illustrated in Figure 8. The second stage of the folding operation involves returning or swinging back the folding blades l5 and 8 from their materialfolding position illustrated in the upper lefthand corner ofFigure 2 to their material-receiving position'shown in Figures 5 and 8. During this return movement of the folding blades I5 and I8 sections a and b of the material are held folded against return movement with the folding blades I5 and It by means of a hold-down device,

designated generally at H, and which will be blade H and folds the material along line 0' so that the sections a and'c now overlie sections 17 and d. In the fourth stage of the folding operation, the folding blade I6 is returned or swung back fromthe material-folding position, shown in Figure'9, to the material-receiving position shown in Figures 2, 5, and 7. For a portion of thisreturn movement of the folding blade IS, the folding blade 7 moves with it,'or more specifically the folding blade moves from its materialreceiving position,- shown in Figures 8 and 9, to a take-off position shown in Figure 7, in which take-off position the folding blade IT projects outwardly from the drum, as shown in Figure 7. Afterthe blade reaches the position shown in Figure 7, the blade l6 continues to move until it is inits material-receiving position. As the blade l6; moves away from the blade I1 and the folded material'thereon to its material-receiving position shown in Figure 7, the folded material is restrained from movement with theblade i6, and is held inposition on the blade H, by means of a hold-down" device, designated generally at H, as

shown in Figures 13 and 14, and hereinafter more fully described. When the blade l! is projected as described with the folded material thereon; it travels past a take-off blade 85 (see Figures 6 and 7) The take-off blade 85 is similar in construction to the folding blade I! in that it has a strip-like body portion 86 from one edge of whichltake-off fingers 87 project. These take-off fingers 8! are dimensioned, proportioned, and

positioned to pass between the folding fingers 01' the blade so that as the blade H passes the take-off blade 85 the folded material is automatically transferred to the take-01f blade 85. Suitableoperating mechanism, illustrated diagrammatically at 88, is provided for automatically operating the take-off blade 85.

In orderto automatically operate the folders F in the manner described, a separate operating mechanism, designated generally at O, is pr ided for each folder. As these operating mechanisms are of identical construction, a single description will serve for all of them.

Each operating mechanism comprises a pair of gear segments 90 and 9| pivotally supported, as at 92 on the end plate M- of the drum adjacent the pinions 26 and having their teeth in mesh with the tooth of the pinions 26. The gear segments 9|] and 9| are constrained to corresponding movement by virtue of the provision on each of an integral lever arm I00, the lever arms extending toward each other and having intermcshing gear segments mi .attheir adiacent ends. The lever arms ltd and. their intermeshing gear se ents i'0i constrain the gear se ments -30 and '91 to corresponding movement. The pivot shaft 3|, to which the gear segment Si is fixed, is extended outwardly beyond the bearings I2 provided therefor in the adjacent end plate M of the drum, the adjacent web it and the sprocket wheel -.G.of the chain and sprocket, gear Crfixed to these parts .(see Figure 3), and to the projecting outer end of this shaft 9] .a follower lever N2 is fixed. The outer end ofeach follower lever lilZ is provided with a follower roller 5103 which rides against the peripheryof a fixed cam 'Iil l mounted on. the frame of the machine. As the drum D rotates, the follower rollers Hi3 of the operating mechanism O of each folder F rideagainst and around the periphery of the fixed cam its, and consequently-the rollers I63 of each operating mechanism move in and out as the contour of the cam I04 varies, with the result that its follower lever H32 is swung to oscillate shaft QI and cause segment 9i and its intermeshed segment 90 to rock oroscillate, thereby oscillating the pinions 2t 1.

and appropriately actuatin the folder blades iii 'and iii .of each folder F at the proper time.

The operating mechanism for the folder blade it of each folder F also includes a gear segment 405 supported for pivotal movement at the opposite end. -of the drum from the segments 90 and SH. Each gear segment I meshes with pinion '53 of its folder F. Each gear segment I05 is fixed to the inner end of a pivot shaft I05 supported for rotation in bearings I2b provided therefor on the drum D. The outer end of each pivot shaft I05 has a follower lever or arm I05 fixed thereto. A follower roller I01 is carried by each lever or arm I06 and rides on a fixed cam E08. Here, again, as the drum rotates it carries each segment I05, its follower arm I05, and its roller I01 with it so that, during one'period in each revolution of the drum D, each segment I05 is rocked to oscillate its pinion 33 and appropriately swing its folding blade I6.

The operating mechanism also includes means for shifting the blade I! to take-off position, said means comprising a crank arm H2 fixed to the outer end of shaft 34 and provided with a roller H3 cooperatively engageable with a fixed cam H5 mounted on the frame of the machine and functioning to oscillate the shaft 34 so as to appropriately swing the blade I at the proper time.

The hold-down mechanism for preventing unfolding of the fabric upon return movement of the folding blades I5 and l8 is shown to advantage in Figures 11 and 12, and comprises a holddown member, designated generally at 0, constructed of light spring metal having a central strip-like body portion II'I' with springy holddown fingers I:I8 projecting from the opposite edges thereof. The hold-down fingers IIB are designed to fit in between the folding fingers of the folding blades I5 and t8 topress the gauze against the underlying pads carried by the channels d0 underlying the folding blades I6 and I! as the folding blades I5 and I3 swing back from their folding position shown in the upper left-hand corner of Figure 2 to their materialreceiving position shown in Figures -5 and. 8.

To accomplish their purposes, the hold-down member I I6 is moved toward and away from the drum D to cause their fingers I I8nto engage the same speed as the drum D.

back and forth.

machineframe.

aaase e folded gauze of each folder F at the proper time and for the proper interval, and when .and while the fingers LIB; Press against the foldedgauze on any folder ld, these fingers; and of course the hol ddown member I-Iii on which they are formed, move in the same direction and at the Suitable mechanism is provided for operatin he holdedown-member its, in the manner .-de scribed.

As illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, the hold clown member 11 IE may have its bodypontionf I! provided at each end withxapertured hanger brackets. i262 Pivotal connections I21 and I22 coact with these hanger brackets. I20 to suspend the hold-down member H6 from the outer ends of floating links 1:23, one at each-end of the hold-down member. A spring I22 may :be in- .corporated in the pivotal connection I22 to frictional'ly or yieldably maintain the. hold-down member M6 in proper position. 'The'rearward ends of the floating links I23are pivotally interconnected with a cross shaft 12A. Adjacent its ends the cross shaft I24 is pivota'lly supported in bearings l25 provided therefor at the upper ends ofrockarms I20. The rockvarms I28 have their lower ends fixed to and supported on'a rock shaft i2! supported for rocking movement in stationary bearings provided therefor in the frame of the machine. In this way, when the shaft IZl is rocked both rock levers I26 are rocked and both floating links I23 are moved One of the lever arms I26 has asecond lever arm I20 integral therewith. The

upper end of connecting rod I29 is pivotally lever H9 and rides on an actuating cam I33 v fixedto and rotatable with a cam shaft I34 driven in synchronism with-the other elements of the machine. The cam I33 acts through the roller iZmonnecting rod I29, lever arm I28, rockshaft 52?, and rock arms I25, to move the floating links I23 back and forth in such manner that at the proper time the hold-down member 6 carried by the floating links is moved in the same direction and at the same speed as the drum D to adapt it to be moved down toengage the gauze in the manner described. For moving the floating links up and down so as to move the hold-down member H6 into and out of en'- gagement-with the folded gauze, the floating links 623 are suspended by double links i from rock arms I36 pinned to a rock shaft I3-l'supported for rocking movement in suitable bearings on the One of the rock arms I36 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a connectingrod I38, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to ,a bell crank follower I19 pivotally supported on the fulcrum shafts ,I'3I and having a follower roller I riding on a cam I4I fixed to the cam shaft I3 5. The cams I33 and I3I are so designed as .to coordinate movement imparted to the hold-down member IIB to cause it to function in the manner described.

A similar structure designated generally at H is also incorporated in the machine for preventafter the final folding operation. This latter instrumentality H is shown in Figures B and 14 and includes a hold-down member or presser foot I50 constructed of light spring metal and having a strip-like body portion II from one longitudinal edge of which hold-down fingers I52 project. The hold-down fingers I52 are dimensioned, proportioned, and designed to pass between the folding fingers of the folding blade I6 and lightly'engage the folded material to prevent it from following the folding blade I6 as the latter moves away from the folding blade I1, thereby retaining the folded material on the blade I1. The action is appropriately light though highly effective. For actuating the hold-.

I53 pivotally supported at their upper ends on oscillating levers I54. The levers I54 are pinned to a rock shaft I55 supported in suitable bearings I55 carried by the frame M of the machine. Links I51 parallel to the levers I54 aid in constraining the hanger strips I53 to proper movement, these links I51 being fulcrumed as at I58 on the machine and being pivotally or otherwise appropriately connected as at I59 to the strips I53. A connecting rod Ifill hasits upper end pivotally connected as at Isl to. one ofthe levers I54. The lower end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the outer endof a follower lever I62, the opposite end of the lever I52 being fulcrumed as at I63 on the frame of the machine. Intermediate its ends the lever I 62 is provided with a follower roller I64 which rides on a cam I65 driven by a cam shaft I66. The shaftISb is driven in properlytimedrelation to the other elements in the machine and the cam isso con toured as to impart the proper movementfatthe proper times to the vibrating hold-down member or presser foot I50.

The rotary. drum D equipped ftvith a lurality' of angularly spaced folders F,.constructed and arranged in the manner described, presents a priately connected to one end of the connecting rod I15. The opposite end of the connecting rod I16 is .pivotally connected to a hand lever I11 which may be releasably secured in position to suitably compress the springs I15 by means of a latch I18. When the latch I18 is released the hand lever maybe swung to relieve the compression on the springs I15 and allow the rollers P and P to drop away from the periphery of the'drum. p

, From the foregoing it will be understood that. a machine of the character described is continuous in operation in that the web to be out or folded moves at constant speed; starting and stopping are eliminated; high operating efficiency with no Waste is had; and a neat, sanitary, folded article is economicallyproduced at a Very rapid rate.

While I have shown and described one construction" in which the invention may be advantageously embodied, it is to be understood that the construction shown has been selected merely for the purpose of illustration or example,and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Iclaim: H e

l. A cutting and folding machine of the character described comprising a rotary drum having a plurality of folders disposed at spaced angular intervals about the periphery of the drum, means for continuously rotating the drum, means for drum periphery in the form of a polygon circurnmounted for rotation on the outer ends of levers I10, one at each end of each rollers. At one side f the machine at least each lever I'lil is provided with an integral lever arm ill, the lever. arms HI extending toward each other. The lever arms I1I are pivotally connected to the upper ends of slide rods I12, intermediate portions of which slidably extend through guide openings provided therefor in an adjustable abutment} 13. The lower end of each'slide rod is provided with an adjustable abutment in the formof a nut I14. A compression. coil spring I 15'is interposed between each nut I14 and theadjustableabutment I131." Thesprings I15 apply yielding pressure on the slide rods I12 which act through the lever arms "I and the levers I10 to urge the rollers P and P withthe yielding pressure against the periphery of the drum. By having the abutment I13 adjustable, the threading or reeving of the Web W-through the machine and starting is fa cilitated. -Preferablytheabutment I13islin the form of-a bell cranklever having onearm'approsupplying a web of material'to the periphery of the drum,'pressure rollers engageable with angularly spaced portions of the web of materialdisposed about the periphery of the drum for pressing the material against the folders arid stretching it thereon, cutting mechanism for severing a predetermined lengthof the webafter it has passed the pressure rollers and while it is on one of the folders, and 'means j fir thereafter actuating said last-named folder to fold said severed predetermined length of the 'Web.

.2. A cutting andfo'lding machine of the character described comprising a rotary drum having a plurality of folders disposed at spaced angular intervalsabout the periphery of the drum, means for continuously rotating the drum, means for supplying a web of material to the periphery of the drum and against the folders thereof, cutting mechanism operating in'the spaces between adjacent folders for severing a predetermined length of the web after it has been applied to one of the folders, and means for actuating each folder after it has a severed length of the web thereon.

3. A cutting and folding machine of the character described comprising a rotary drum having a plurality of folders disposed at spaced angular intervals about the periphery of the drum, means for continuously rotating the drum, means for supplying aweb of material to the periphery of the drum and against the folders thereof cutting mechanism .operating in the spaces between adjacent folders for severing a predetermined lengthof the web after it has been applied to one of the folders, means for actuating each folder after it has a severed length of'the web thereon, and means for taking a the folded severedlengths of the web from the its periphery, means for supplying a'web of material to the periphery of the drum and against the folders thereof, cutting mechanism for successively severing predetermined lengths from the Web after they are placed on the folders, and means for successively actuating the. folders which have a severed length of the Web thereon.

5.. A cutting and folding machine of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a folder thereon, means for feeding a web of material to the folder, cutting mechanism for severing a length of material from the web after it has been placed against the folder, and means for actuating the folder when the severed length of material is engaged therewith. I

6. A cutting and folding machine of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a folder thereon, means for feeding a web of material to the folder, cutting mechanism for severing a length of material from the weba'fter it has been placed against the folder, ineans for actuatingthe folder when the severed length of material is engaged therewith, and means for taking the folded material from the folder.

7. A cutting and folding machine of the character described comprisinga rotary drum having a plurality of folders disposed at spaced angular intervals about the periphery of the drum, means for continuously rotating the drum, means for supplying a web of materialxto the periphery of the drum and against the folders thereof, means engaged with angularly spaced portions of the web disposed about the periphery ofv the drumfor pressing the material against the folders andstretching itthereon, a pair of cutters one disposed inside and the other disposed outside of the periphery of the drum, means supporting saidcutters for transverse movement with respect to the drumso that the cutters may be brought into andj out of cutting engagement at the periphery of e drum and also supporting the cutters for swinging movement about the axis of rotation of the drum, means for swinging the cutters in the'same direction and at the same speed as the drum while in 'alinement with the space between adjacent folders thereof and also for reversely swinging the cutters tore-positionthem for the nextcut, means for moving the cutters toward eachother and into cooperative cutting engagement as-they areswung inthe same direction and at the same speed. as the drum to sever a predetermined length of the webv it is onone of the folders and also for movingthecutters away from each otherjbefore they are" reversely swung for re-positioning, and means for successively actuating each folder after it has a severed length of the web thereon.

-8.* A cutting and folding machineof. the character described comprising a' rotary drum having a plurality of foldersdisposed atspaced angular intervals about the periphery of the drum, means-for supplying a web of materialto" the periphery ,of the drum and againstthe folders thereof, a pair of cutters one disposed insideand I the other disposed outside of the periphery of'the drum; means supporting. said cutters for transverse movement. with respect to the drum so that the cutters may be-brought into and outof cuttingengagement at the periphery of the drum, and also supporting the cutters forv swinging movement about the axis of rotation of the drum, means-for swinging the cutters inthe same direction and at the same speed as the drum while in alinement with the s'pacezbetwe'en adjacent folders thereof and also for reversely swinging thecutters to re-position them for the next cut, means for moving the cutters toward each other and into cooperative cutting engagement as they are swung in the same direction and at the same speed as the drum to sever a predetermined length of the web while it i on one of the folders and also for moving the cutters away from each other before they are reversely swung forre-positioning, and'meahs for actuating each folder after it has a severed length of the web thereon.

9. A folder of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a folder mounted thereon and including four similar folding blades disposed side by side and extending transversely of the periphery of the drum and supported for pivotal movement thereon, each folding blade including a strip-like body portion and a row of spaced folding fingers projecting laterally from onelongitudinal edge of the strip-like body portion, supports on the drum against which the foldin blades rest in the material-receiving position of the folding blades, means utilizing the motion of the drum for first moving the outer folding blades from the material-receiving to a material folding position, wherein they overlie the intermediate folding blades, and-for next. returning the outer folding blades to their material-receiv ing position," means also actuated by the motion of the drum for swinging one of the intermediate folding blades from a material-receiving to a material-folding position to impart a final folding to the material on the folder and for returning said intermediate folding blade to its materialreceiving position, and mechanism actuated by the rotary movement of the drum and connected to the other intermediate folding blade for moving ,it during the return movement of the first intermediate folding blade to a material take-off position. v

10'. A folder of the character described comprising at least. a pair of folding blades, each folding'. blade having a strip-like body portion and a row or spaced folding fingers projecting. laterally from one longitudinal edge of the body portion, supports against which the folding fingers rest inthe material-receiving position ofthe blades,

pads on the supports positioned between the foldingv fingers of the blades when the blades are in material-receiving position, means for swinging at least one of the blades from the material-re? ceiving position to a materal-folding position wherein it overlies the other of said pair of blades and for reversely swinging said blade to return it tomaterial-receiving position, and a hold-down device having hold-down fingers adapted to be moved through the spaces between the folding fingers of the swinging folding blade and engage able with the folded material on the pads to retain the same folded during the return movement of the swinging folding blade.

11. A folder of the character described comprising at least a pair of pivotedfolding blades, each including a strip-like body portion having a row of spacedfolding fingers projecting laterally from one edge thereof, supports against which the folding blades rest in the material-receiving position thereof, means for swinging one of the folding blades from the material-receiving position to a material-foldingposition overlying the other folding ,blade and vice versa; and a holddown device operable through the spaces between the folding fingers 'ofthe swinging blade and enageable with the folded material to retain it folded during the return movement of said swinging blade.

12. A folder of the character described including a pivoted folding blade having a row of spaced folding fingers, means for swinging said blade from a material-receiving to a material-folding position and vice versa, and means operating through the spaces between the folding fingers to positively retain the material folded as said blade returns from material-folding to materialreceiving position.

13. A folder of the character described including a pivoted folding blade having a row of spaced folding fingers, means for swinging said blade from a material-receiving to a materialfolding position and vice versa, and a hold-down device having hold-down fingers projectible through the spaces between said fingers and engageable with the folded material to retain it folded as said blade returns from material-folding to material-receiving position.

14. A folder of the character described comprising a pair of folding blades, means for oscillating one of said blades to move it from a material-receiving to a material-folding position wherein it overlies the other of said blades and then back to material-receiving position, and means positively retaining the material folded on said other blade whensaid oscillating blade is moved from material-folding to material-receiving position.

15. A folder of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a folder thereon including a pivoted folding blade having a row of spaced folding fingers, means for swinging said blade from a material-receiving to a material-folding position, and vice versa, a hold-down device having hold-down fingers projectible through the spaces between said folding fingers and engageable with the folded material to retain it folded as said blade returns from said material-folding to material-receiving position, means for moving said hold-down device toward andaway from the rotary drum, and means for moving said hold-down device in the same direction and at the same speed as the drum when the hold-down fingers are engaged with the folded material.

16. A folder of the character described comprising a rotary drum, a folder thereon including a pivoted folding blade having a row of spaced folding fingers, means for swinging said blade from a material-receiving to a material-folding position, and vice versa, and a vibratin holddown device having hold-down fingers projectible through the spaces between said folding fingers and engageable with the folded material to retain it folded as said blade returns from material-folding to material-receiving position.

constituting the periphery surface of the drum and presenting the general contour of a polygon, means for supplying a web of material to the periphery of the drum, yieldable pressure rollers engageable with angularly spaced portions of the web of material fed to the periphery of the drum for pressing the material against the folding blades and stretching it thereon, cutting mechanism for severing a predetermined length of the web after it has passed the pressure rollers and while it is on one of the folders, and means for actuating each folder after it has a severed length of the web thereon.

18. A folding machine of the character de scribed including a rotary drum having a plurality of folders disposed at spaced angular intervals about the periphery of the drum, each of said folders including at least two pivoted folding blades, pinions on the blades, gear segments supported for pivotal movement on the drum and meshing with said pinions, a cam follower connected to said gear segments, and a cam fixed to the machine and cooperable with the followers to successively actuate the folders as the drum rotates.

19. A cutting and folding machine of the character described comprising a rotary drum having a plurality of folders disposed at spaced angular intervals about the periphery of the drum, means for continuously rotating the drum, means for supplying a web of material to the periphery of the drum against the folders thereof, cutting mechanism operating in the spaces between adjacent folders for severing a predetermined length of the web after it has been applied to one of the folders, cam means for actuating said cutting mechanism, and means utilizing the rotation of the drum for actuating each folder after it has a severed length of the web thereon.

20. A folding machine of the character described including a rotary drum, a folder thereon including a pivoted folding blade having a row of spaced folding fingers, means for swinging said blade from a material-receiving to a materialv folding position, and viceversa, said blade in both of said positions lying within the confines of the drum, means for swinging said blade to a material talce-oif position where it projects laterally from the drum, a swingable take-oif blade having.

a row of take-off fingers adapted to pass between the folding fingers of the folding blade and to take folded material therefrom when the folding blade projects from the drum in it material take-off position, and means for operating the take-off blade.

21. In a folder of the character described, an oscillating folding blade having material-engaging surfaces operative to adhere to the material to be folded and to fold the same, said blade having cut-outs between said material-engaging surfaces, and means operating through said cut-outs to retain the material folded.

ALFRED LAUKI-IUFF. 

